County/Postmaster Cancels

I'm always interested in acquiring new material for the my NYS County/Postmaster collection. I recently was successful in the Kelleher Auction held at Aripex in January. Just 3 interesting New York Covers this time with a little background information.

Newfane Station was a post office in Niagara County from 1876 to 1899 when the name was changed to Burt.

This unusual red fancy octagon is one of several county cancels used from Kenwood. Kenwood was the name of the post office from July 1889 to January 1922 when it became a station of Oneida.

Footprints was another Madison County post office which was short-lived from 1886 to 1890. The monogram killer is very unusual. I have been told this is the only known cover from this post office.

Continuing with my interest in NYS County Postmarks, I recently acquired these 2 very early examples from the Robert A. Siegel Auction in December 2010. I believe they are both ex-Hahn since his notes accompanied the lots.

Maltaville #1 (Saratoga County) existed from August 17, 1827 until it was discontinued on March 18, 1830. It was reestablished as Maltaville #2 on October 23, 1830 and finally discontinued on February 15, 1908.

According to a photocopy of part of an article from the Postal History Journal (October 1991): "A red oval without rim marking is found used at Malta Ville, Saratoga County. This marking is 35 x 25 mm ..... (The cancel) was used only during the first period (of the post office). ...Two...covers are all that have been reported to date. The item asks the Reverend Smith if he would consider coming to be the Malta Ville preacher."

The same Postal History Journal article illustrated this Fort Ann (Washington County) stampless cover. Hahn's notes report that there are 2 different ovals known, in different configurations. "This a letter prepaid 10 cents and unpaid 10 cents because it was double weight. It enclosed $2 in bills to pay taxes so even a triple rating would have been justified."